Tension Alert : My pinkie sticks out like a sore thumb

[pianoplunker]

 I have been checking out  the various posts on technique and tension. AS a person who seeks to improve my technique I am trying to understand tension/release better. I gently place my hand on the keyboard with relaxed natural curved fingers, not trying to curve them just letting my hand rest on five white keys in a row. What I have noticed is that there seems to be a reflex in my pinkie to raise up when I barely start a movement to do a scale. Even if fingers 1,2, and 3 are engaged depressing a note, the pinkie still is trying to twitch upward. It is particularly more so when depressing finger 3 or 4.  This is all at very slow motion too. This happens when any movement is made to depress a note. I dont seem to have other fingers raising up like that. Is there anything that can be done ?   

[nyiregyhazi]

I have been checking out  the various posts on technique and tension. AS a person who seeks to improve my technique I am trying to understand tension/release better. I gently place my hand on the keyboard with relaxed natural curved fingers, not trying to curve them just letting my hand rest on five white keys in a row. What I have noticed is that there seems to be a reflex in my pinkie to raise up when I barely start a movement to do a scale. Even if fingers 1,2, and 3 are engaged depressing a note, the pinkie still is trying to twitch upward. It is particularly more so when depressing finger 3 or 4.  This is all at very slow motion too. This happens when any movement is made to depress a note. I dont seem to have other fingers raising up like that. Is there anything that can be done ?   

It's typically due to poor support in the finger. Stick it out even further and notice the quality of support from the finger which is on a depressed key. Then, when you release it, it should be possible for it to just dangle down. I have the same problem myself quite frequently. Getting the knuckles properly supported is the only reliable way to let the finger settle into a more natural position. Whenever this happens, I notice that the playing fingers have been drooping instead of supporting.

[black_keys]

I think there is no problem with that , I have the same habit and many great pianist Like Marc-Andre Hamelin for example have the same thing

[pianoplunker]

I think there is no problem with that , I have the same habit and many great pianist Like Marc-Andre Hamelin for example have the same thing

It does not seem to hinder my playing but I am just wondering if that could be a source of tendonitus. It is not really a habit but more of a reflex

[ajspiano]

I gently place my hand on the keyboard with relaxed natural curved fingers, not trying to curve them just letting my hand rest on five white keys in a row.

If your hand/fingers are truly relaxed do the fingers necessarily rest upon 5 white keys in a row or are you already stretching them sideways?

[j_menz]

If your hand/fingers are truly relaxed do the fingers necessarily rest upon 5 white keys in a row or are you already stretching them sideways?

If my hand/fingers are truly relaxed, I'm asleep. If they're resting on five white keys, my face is most likely resting on a score. Who knows, I may be at my most brilliant like that.

[ajspiano]

If my hand/fingers are truly relaxed, I'm asleep.

Even then its probably debatable - I know a few people who throw punches while asleep.

..That aside, the point was that there may be some undue tension held by the interossei if OP is deliberately placing 1 finger after another to accommodate the exact width of the 5 piano keys.

...And since the sideways action of those muscles can directly conflict with the flex action of the fingers...

[j_menz]

Even then its probably debatable - I know a few people who throw punches while asleep.

I hope you're fiance isn't one of them.

..That aside, the point was that there may be some undue tension held by the interossei if OP is deliberately placing 1 finger after another to accommodate the exact width of the 5 piano keys.

...And since the sideways action of those muscles can directly conflict with the flex action of the fingers...

So basically, all the things I do to actually play the piano are holding me back. Trying to hit the keys, positioning for chords, moving around the keyboard, putting my hands anywhere near the instrument.

Always suspected as much.  Those damn composers should have considered this!

[ajspiano]

So basically, all the things I do to actually play the piano are holding me back. Trying to hit the keys, positioning for chords, moving around the keyboard, putting my hands anywhere near the instrument.

Obviously not..  Deliberately positioning your fingers over keys that you are not currently playing MAY be holding you back, depending on the exact situation.

It is infinitely more efficient and effective to maintain a balanced and comfortable hand position and move your hand/arm to the next note - than it is to leave your hand/arm in one spot and stretch out to notes - and yes this makes a difference even on something as simple and subtle as a CDEFG scale passage.

Chords are obviously a different thing.

[j_menz]

It is infinitely more efficient and effective to maintain a balanced and comfortable hand position and move your hand/arm to the next note - than it is to leave your hand/arm in one spot and stretch out to notes - and yes this makes a difference even on something as simple and subtle as a CDEFG scale passage.

Chords are obviously a different thing.

Couldn't agree more.  On the Barenboim masterclass DVD I recently watched, one of the things I particularly noticed was that the students all had these big hand and finger movements for pretty much everything. Barenboim on the other hand, looked like he was dragging a languid mitt over the keyboard. He had better speed, articulation and a wider and more controlled dynamic range.

[thalbergmad]

My pinkie sticks out as well and has done for the 45 years I have been playing.

Has it hindered my playing - no
Am I interested why it happens - no
Do I want to slice my hand open and get a better view - no

Thal

[pianoplunker]

If your hand/fingers are truly relaxed do the fingers necessarily rest upon 5 white keys in a row or are you already stretching them sideways?

They do rest on 5 in a row without any stretch

[j_menz]

Do I want to slice my hand open and get a better view - no

Oh. Thal, you're no fun at all.